Eve Systems, long a stalwart of building smart home devices for the Apple Home ecosystem, has launched a Matter version of its Eve Light Switch. The $50 in-wall device is outfitted with a Thread radio and can operate as a router node on a Thread mesh network.
The Eve Light Switch is a paddle-style on/off switch—not a dimmer—that can handle 15-amp, incandescent and tungsten lighting loads up to 600 watts, and 15-amp resistive loads up to 1800 watts. It requires a neutral wire, but it is capable of operating in both single-pole and 3-way applications where another switch controls the same load.
This news is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart switches and dimmers.
Owners of the third-generation Eve Light Switch will be able to upgrade their devices with full Matter support via a free firmware update, coming soon.
Where previous generations of the Eve Light Switch required an Apple Home hub—e.g., an Apple TV media streamer or an Apple HomePod mini—this new version doesn’t require a hub for local control with either an iPhone or Android device. It can also be controlled with voice commands spoken to Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
With the Eve app, currently available only for iOS, users can also create operation schedules that will turn the switch on and off automatically. Adding a hub to serve as a bridge to your home router allows control with sensors, such as the Eve Motion, and adds more automation options, along with away-from-home control.
Author: Michael Brown, Executive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor, with 30+ years of experience covering smart homes, home networking, and home audio/home theater. He holds a BA in Multimedia Journalism, authored the book Desktop Video Production, and was awarded Best Online Review by the Computer Press Association. Michael built a smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world product-testing lab. Now living in the Pacific Northwest, he is converting his 1890 Victorian bungalow into a modern smart home. Michael has worked at CNET, PCWorld, Electronic Musician, and Maximum PC. As a freelancer, he contributed to New Media, Camcorder, MacWeek, and more.